Darlington must return to Swansea City's Vetch Field one more time after a waterlogged pitch meant the postponement of Saturday's game - but there was little doubt the right decision had been made.

With the Welshman moving home next season Quakers had been expecting this visit to south Wales to be their last.

But continual heavy rain meant that by 1.45pm the playing surface was clearly unplayable, leaving referee Andre Marriner with no option.

Groundstaff worked throughout the morning and at 1pm their efforts looked set to be rewarded when the pitch passed Marriner's inspection.

But, with the rainfall getting heavier and the forecast bleak, he ordered the turnstiles not be opened until after his second inspection three quarters of an hour later - by which time large puddles of water had appeared.

Marriner said: "There was no chance whatsoever we could play.

"Despite Swansea doing as much as they could to drain the field, there was standing water on some parts of the pitch which weren't going to shift by 3pm.

"And with more rain forecast there was no choice other than a postponement."

The Darlington players and manager David Hodgson, who was set to field the same team that faced Notts County last week, did not contest the decision but were disappointed, as were those aboard the official supporters club coach which arrived just as the game was postponed.

Glen Bowes, supporters club spokesman, expressed his dismay, saying: "On the way down, when we reached Tamworth at about 10.30, we rang Swansea to ask about a pitch inspection, and they sounded surprised that we were even ringing to ask.

"They said there wasn't going to be an inspection.

"Had we known there was going to be one we might have held back a bit instead of going straight there, that would've given us time to maybe go to another game instead wasting the entire day on a coach."

One consolation for all those that travelled with the supporters club is that they're entitled to a full refund.

A date for a rearranged game is yet to be announced but it is unlikely to be within the next fortnight. A return visit this week is too short notice and it won't be next week as the Swans are in LDV Vans Trophy action.

A fortnight's time, week beginning Sunday, November 14, is a possibility but the first round of the FA Cup is on the previous weekend and Hodgson may not want to risk the possibility of two long away trips in a matter of days.

Quakers make the lengthy trip to Cheltenham at the end of the following week which could rule out rearranging the Swansea game for that week, unless Quakers opt to stay in the area between matches.

Saturday's league programme saw Quakers drop a place to 15th in League Two but they have a game in hand on most while their next match is on Saturday at home to Tony Adams' Wycombe Wanderers who sit three positions above Darlington after drawing 1-1 at home to Mansfield at the weekend.

* Swansea slipped to third in Coca-Cola League Two as Scunthorpe and Leyton Orient both won.

The Iron are the new leaders, with a two point advantage after 1-0 win at home to Yeovil thanks to Andy Butler's strike 12 minutes from time.

Lee Steele hit a hat-trick for Orient as they ground out a 4-3 win away at Lincoln, coming from behind three times.

Managerless Shrewsbury lifted themselves from the bottom with a point against Southend at Gay Meadow.

After Jimmy Quinn's departure last week, Kevin Street put the Shrews ahead after 14 minutes.

However, Wayne Gray levelled for the Shrimpers shortly before the hour mark to secure a 1-1 draw.

Read more about the Quakers here.